DefinePK

Abstract

One of the most key initiatives of the military government that assumed power in Pakistan in October 1999 is devolving power to the grassroots level.2 The elections for the lower three tiers, (Union, Tehsil and District) have taken place as has the elections for the pivotal post of the District Nazim (governor). Notwithstanding expressed reservations about the suspension of democracy, many civil society groups and donors, who had been advocating devolution or decentralisation in the past, hoped for the success of this initiative as one possible way for making effective the delivery of public service to the grassroots level. While others have undertaken benchmarking exercises to evaluate this initiative, it was thought that using theatre as a tool would be a unique method for complementing these other initiatives.